To explain the biological foundations of art appreciation is to explain one of our species' distinctive traits. Previous neuroimaging and electrophysiological studies have pointed to the prefrontal and the parietal cortex as two critical regions mediating esthetic appreciation of visual art. In this study, we applied transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) over the left prefrontal cortex and the right posterior parietal cortex while participants were evaluating whether they liked, and by how much, a particular painting. By depolarizing cell membranes in the targeted regions, TMS transiently interferes with the activity of specific cortical areas, which allows clarifying their role in a given task. Our results show that both regions play a fundamental role in mediating esthetic appreciation. Critically though, the effects of TMS varied depending on the type of art considered (i.e. representational vs. abstract) and on participants' a-priori inclination toward one or the other.

Cattaneo, Z., Lega, C., Gardelli, C., Merabet, L., Cela Conde, C., Nadal, M. (2014). The role of prefrontal and parietal cortices in esthetic appreciation of representational and abstract art: A TMS study. NEUROIMAGE, 99, 443-450 [10.1016/j.neuroimage.2014.05.037].

The role of prefrontal and parietal cortices in esthetic appreciation of representational and abstract art: A TMS study

CATTANEO, ZAIRA
;
LEGA, CARLOTTA;
2014

Abstract

To explain the biological foundations of art appreciation is to explain one of our species' distinctive traits. Previous neuroimaging and electrophysiological studies have pointed to the prefrontal and the parietal cortex as two critical regions mediating esthetic appreciation of visual art. In this study, we applied transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) over the left prefrontal cortex and the right posterior parietal cortex while participants were evaluating whether they liked, and by how much, a particular painting. By depolarizing cell membranes in the targeted regions, TMS transiently interferes with the activity of specific cortical areas, which allows clarifying their role in a given task. Our results show that both regions play a fundamental role in mediating esthetic appreciation. Critically though, the effects of TMS varied depending on the type of art considered (i.e. representational vs. abstract) and on participants' a-priori inclination toward one or the other.
Articolo in rivista - Articolo scientifico
Parietal; Art; Prefrontal cortex; Esthetic appreciation; TMS
English
2014
99
443
450
none
Cattaneo, Z., Lega, C., Gardelli, C., Merabet, L., Cela Conde, C., Nadal, M. (2014). The role of prefrontal and parietal cortices in esthetic appreciation of representational and abstract art: A TMS study. NEUROIMAGE, 99, 443-450 [10.1016/j.neuroimage.2014.05.037].
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10281/52765
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